Palm Tree School

Inspection report for early years provision

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131983 Unique Reference Number 17 May 2007 Inspection date Lindsay Ann Farenden Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1995. She lives with her husband and three adult children in New Malden, Surrey. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and two bedrooms on the first floor are used for sleeping purposes only. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding three children under five years old on a full and part time basis. The childminder works with an assistant on occasions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder regularly takes children to parks and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from the support of the childminder who provides a flexible routine to meet their individual needs. For example, she notices when they are tired and settles them to sleep.

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children enjoy access to the garden area, where they are able to run, jump on a small trampoline, crawl through a tunnel and ride wheeled toys. They also benefit from being taken on walks and visiting parks, where they are able to use large play equipment. This enhances their physical development and ensures they receive plenty of fresh air.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children’s health is safeguarded, because the childminder stores and heats up foods bought in by the parents appropriately. Children benefit from healthy snacks, such as fruit and breadsticks. A close working relationship with the parents ensures children do not receive any foods that may have an adverse effect on them. Children are provided with regular drinks at snack and meal times, so they remain hydrated throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean home. They learn good hygiene routines, as the childminder helps younger children to wash their hands before meals and their hands and faces are wiped with individual flannels after they have eaten. The childminder herself carries out good hygiene procedures to prevent the risk of cross infection. For example, she wears gloves, when changing children's nappies and makes sure her hands are always clean.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder holds a first aid certificate and is booked on training to keep it up to date. She has a suitably stocked first aid box and has obtained parental consent to seek emergency medical treatment. This means the childminder is able to take action in the event of an accident. The childminder keeps a record of any accidents, which are shared with parents. Parents give prior written consent to administer medication. This ensures children receive the correct dosage. Parents are informed that the childminder does not care for children who are infectious, therefore minimising the spread of contagious ailments.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have plenty of space on the ground floor of the childminder's home to play and move around. To safeguard children the childminder supervises the children at all times and hazards such as the cleaning materials are kept in a cupboard with a child safety lock and a safety gate is used on the stairs when she feels it is necessary. However, the garden gate bolt and sharp knives in the open plan kitchen are not completely inaccessible to children, therefore presenting a potential risk to their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use a good range of toys which are clean, well stored and appropriate for their age and stage of development. The childminder brings out different toys, throughout the day, so they have a wide variety to enjoy playing with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The risks to children on outings are reduced because the childminder ensures children wear appropriate restraints in the buggy and when walking they hold her hand or onto the buggy. Children are helped learn to keep themselves safe, as the childminder speaks to them about not talking to strangers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded by suitable fire equipment fitted in the home and the smoke alarms are in working order. The childminder has a written fire escape plan, which is practised, so the childminder is able to evacuate the children quickly and safely from the house.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and is aware of what action to take if she has concerns about a child. This safeguards children’s welfare.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home and are very comfortable in her presence. She shows children lots of warmth and affection and spends time playing with them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children love singing songs with the childminder and enthusiastically move their bodies to the actions of the songs, such as 'sleep little bunnies' and 'row your boat'. They use their imaginations well, as they play with a wok set and foods at the child size table, pretending to make tea and sprinkling soy sauce over pretend foods. They enjoy constructing a tower using building cups, carefully stacking them on top of each other. They enjoy discovering that toys make different sounds and lights come on, as they press buttons, turn knobs and use shape sorters. Children like listening to stories read by the childminder, which encourages their language development and interest in books.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have good opportunities to develop their creativity through activities, such as drawing, colouring, sticking, play dough and painting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from a wide range of different play experiences outside of the childminder's home. For example, they attend toddler groups on a regular basis where they develop social skills and have access to a further range of play equipment. They also enjoy soft play centres, which encourage a range of physical skills. Children’s learning and knowledge are extended as they are taken on outings to places of interest, such as farms and museums.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Their needs are met well, as the childminder takes time to find out about children’s likes and dislikes before they start. Children are settled into the childminder's home gradually, which gives them time to get to know her and to help them separate from their carers. The childminder has clear daily routines for the children, which help them feel secure.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the childminder’s positive relationship she has with the parents. She makes time to find out how they have been at home, so she can change her routine accordingly. For example, if knows they have not slept well, she is aware they may need to have their sleep earlier than usual. The childminder informs parents about their child’s general well-being and observations of development verbally when they collect their child and also provides a written daily diary. This keeps parents very well informed of their child’s time at the childminder’s. Parents' questionnaires show they are positive about the care their child receives from the childminder. Parents are given information on how to express a complaint.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn about diversity, as they are taken for walks in the community and attend facilities for children. They develop positive images of others, as they play with toys reflecting positive images of culture and disability. They begin to learn about cultural festivals as they taste sweets and Asian foods at Diwali. The childminder talks to the children in English and French. This helps communication with children who speak French and extends children’s learning of other languages.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There are no children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities currently being cared for. Through discussion the childminder demonstrated how she would meet their needs. This would

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 be through talking to the parents, reading information about the disability and attending training.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her day well, so that the children’s needs and routines are met. She plans her day so the children have a varied range of interesting and age appropriate activities both within and away from the childminding setting.

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Organisation

The childminder keeps all the required documentation and the written policies are used effectively to promote the care and welfare of the children. The childminder displays her registration certificate for parents to view. She has attended some training, which develops her knowledge and practice. The setting meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made. Since the last inspection the childminder has increased her knowledge about child protection and has devised and practised an emergency escape plan. She now records accidents whenever they occur. This has improved the children's safety and well-being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure all sharp knives and objects are made completely inaccessible to children. • make sure the garden gate is fully secure for children of all ages

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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